Hello and welcome! I hope you’ve all been enjoying the refreshing change in weather, much like we have – these mild winter days certainly feel like an unexpected gift as we step into a new year. As 2020 unfolds, I’m thrilled to share my annual insights into home decor, presenting six captivating trends that are set to define our living spaces. While my personal decorating style tends to be rooted in timelessness rather than fleeting fads, it’s always inspiring to observe emerging styles and innovative ideas. These trends often spark creativity, encouraging us to explore new possibilities and think outside the conventional box when planning our home’s aesthetic. I’m eager to hear your thoughts on these upcoming trends and discover which ones resonate with you, or perhaps, which you’re excited to incorporate into your own home this year!
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Embracing Nature’s Hues: Trending Paint Colors for 2020 – Blues & Greens
Few things excite me more than delving into the world of paint colors, and it’s always fascinating to see which shades the major paint companies crown as their “Color of the Year.” For 2020, the clear frontrunners are the calming and versatile families of blues and greens. These serene hues are not just dominating paint palettes but are also making a significant splash in furniture and home decor pieces, offering a fresh, sophisticated, and often nature-inspired aesthetic. Their popularity stems from their ability to evoke tranquility and connect our indoor spaces with the natural world outside.
Photo courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams, for instance, selected Naval as their 2020 Color of the Year, a truly magnificent, deep, and rich navy blue. This particular shade exudes elegance and sophistication, making it an excellent choice for creating a striking accent wall, painting kitchen cabinets for a bold statement, or even enveloping an entire room in a cocoon of luxurious color. Its versatility allows it to pair beautifully with both warm and cool tones, establishing a strong foundation for various design styles from modern to classic.
Photo courtesy of PPG
Following suit, PPG’s Color of the Year is Chinese Porcelain, a captivating blend of vibrant cobalt and a moody, inky blue. While I might hesitate to paint an entire room in such an intense shade, it truly excels as an accent color. Imagine it on a front door, as pictured above, providing a welcoming pop of color, or used for decorative trim, built-in shelving, or even a statement furniture piece. Its depth adds character and a touch of global inspiration to any space.
Behr introduced a softer, earthier tone with their 2020 Color of the Year, Back to Nature. This gentle, avocado-inspired green radiates a sense of calm and well-being. Much like Chinese Porcelain, I find it particularly appealing in smaller applications – perhaps on a charming interior door, as shown, or as an accent in a gallery wall. While a full room might evoke too much of a retro vibe for some, its subtle presence can bring a natural, refreshing feel to entryways, home offices, or bedrooms, harmonizing beautifully with other neutral elements.
Benjamin Moore opted for a slightly different direction with First Light, a soft, rosy pink, as their 2020 Color of the Year. They describe it as a nuanced neutral that gracefully floats between warm and cool tones, offering incredible adaptability. Blush tones have certainly been a favorite, especially among younger generations, and this particular shade is exceptionally beautiful and sophisticated. While First Light took the spotlight, Benjamin Moore also curated a full 2020 color trends palette, which thoughtfully incorporates several shades of the trending blues and greens, ensuring a cohesive and inspiring collection for diverse tastes.
The Resurgence of Rattan & Caned Furniture: Texture and Warmth
I have always held a special affection for rattan and caned furniture, so witnessing the incredible surge in popularity of these natural, woven pieces over the past few months has been an absolute delight. This trend perfectly aligns with a desire for textures, warmth, and an artisanal touch in our homes. When your decorating approach, like mine, heavily relies on neutrals, integrating textured elements such as rattan, cane, and other woven materials becomes paramount. These pieces are masterful at adding depth, visual interest, and a much-needed organic feel to a room, preventing it from feeling flat or sterile. They effortlessly bridge the gap between various decor styles, from bohemian chic to coastal modern, and even minimalist spaces seeking a touch of warmth.
One of my absolute favorite new additions in this category is this exquisite round woven coffee table, beautifully topped with glass. It’s not just a functional piece but a sculptural focal point that instantly elevates a living area. The intricate weaving adds a layer of craftsmanship and natural beauty that’s hard to replicate with other materials. Beyond coffee tables, this trend extends to stunning dining chairs, elegant cabinets with caned fronts, sophisticated headboards, and even unique lighting fixtures, all contributing to a layered and inviting atmosphere.
These woven materials are also making a significant impact beyond large furniture pieces, appearing in a wide array of beautiful accessories. Consider the aesthetic impact of this charming set of eight woven baskets, perfect for creating a captivating wall art display. They offer an effortless way to introduce natural texture and a global-inspired feel to any empty wall. Similarly, this smaller set of four baskets provides a versatile option for smaller spaces or complementary arrangements. Other delightful rattan accessories, such as decorative trays, storage bins, and planters, are also fantastic finds that allow you to infuse this trend into your home without a major overhaul. These smaller accents can tie a room together, adding character and warmth with their unique textures and natural appeal.
Luxurious Retreats: Channeled & Upholstered Panel Beds
The bedroom, a sanctuary for rest and rejuvenation, is seeing a significant shift towards designs that prioritize comfort, luxury, and visual appeal. One of the most prominent trends in bedroom furniture is the rise of channel tufted beds. These beds offer a sleek, modern sensibility that distinguishes them from more traditional upholstered designs. The distinctive vertical or horizontal channeling creates a sophisticated textural pattern, adding a sense of bespoke craftsmanship and understated opulence to the sleeping space. This trend is about creating a luxurious focal point that invites relaxation and adds architectural interest.
A prime example of this trend is this elegant channeled bed, which is available in a variety of fabric options and colors and even includes a matching footboard. The vertical channeling lends itself beautifully to both contemporary and transitional interiors, providing a clean, elongated line that can make a room feel taller and more expansive. Its structured yet soft aesthetic creates an inviting atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a long day.
While many channeled beds feature vertical tufting, there are also stunning options with horizontal channeling, such as the Lila bed from McGee & Co.. I find that the horizontal tufting offers a slightly more traditional or perhaps a subtly Art Deco-inspired feel, which personally appeals to my aesthetic preferences. This variation allows for diverse interpretations of the channeled trend, ensuring there’s a style to suit every design vision. Whether vertical or horizontal, the plush upholstery and distinctive channels add a layer of textural richness and comfort that transforms a simple bed into a grand design statement.
Beyond channeling, another emerging trend in bed and headboard design involves large upholstered panels that extend well beyond the traditional width of a headboard. These oversized headboards create a dramatic, architectural backdrop for the bed, anchoring the room with a bold, enveloping presence. The Sorrento Upholstered Bed by Pottery Barn is an excellent illustration of this trend. While these expansive headboards undeniably create a luxurious and hotel-like feel, I’m still on the fence about whether I could fully embrace this particular aesthetic in my own home. What are your thoughts on this grand design statement?
The Art of Staying In: Home Theaters & High-End Coffee Stations
In an increasingly busy world, there’s a growing desire for comfort and convenience, leading to a fascinating trend highlighted by platforms like Pinterest: the creation of dedicated spaces within the home for leisure and entertainment. Pinterest meticulously tracks trending search terms and publishes its annual top 100 trends, and for 2020, a significant theme revolves around enhancing the “stay-at-home” experience. This trend reflects a shift from regularly going out to movies or coffee shops to investing in personalized, luxurious amenities at home. These range from elaborate home theaters and dedicated audio rooms to sophisticated, high-end coffee stations. What once seemed reserved for the ultra-wealthy is now becoming increasingly common in middle-class homes, as homeowners prioritize creating environments that cater to their desire for comfort, convenience, and bespoke experiences.
My exploration into high-end coffee stations opened my eyes to an entirely new level of home luxury – and cost! These aren’t just simple coffee makers; they are often integrated systems designed to deliver a barista-quality experience. Retailers like Williams-Sonoma Home offer a range of professional-grade espresso and coffee machines, such as this impressive model, that can easily cost thousands of dollars. These machines often boast features like integrated grinders, precise temperature controls, and milk frothers, turning the morning coffee ritual into an exquisite art form. The focus isn’t just on brewing coffee but on crafting an entire coffee experience, complete with stylish accessories, dedicated storage, and often a chic design that complements the kitchen or a specialized beverage bar. While I deeply adore coffee, I’m not entirely sure my love for it extends to such a significant investment! I thought I was quite sophisticated with the Nespresso machine I acquired last year – how times have changed!
Conscious Living: Eco-Friendly Furniture & Sustainable Design
In alignment with a broader societal movement towards environmental consciousness and waste reduction, the home decor industry is witnessing a significant shift towards eco-friendly and sustainably produced products. This growing trend reflects consumers’ increasing desire to furnish their homes beautifully while minimizing their ecological footprint. More and more brands are prioritizing ethical sourcing, sustainable manufacturing processes, and the use of recycled or rapidly renewable materials, making it easier than ever to make environmentally responsible choices without compromising on style or quality.
This commitment to sustainability extends to various home decor categories, including bedding. A prime example is this flax linen quilt, a long-time favorite of mine, which is now proudly eco-friendly and sustainably sourced. Linen, derived from the flax plant, is known for its durability, breathability, and natural, textured appeal. Its production typically requires less water and fewer pesticides than cotton, making it an excellent sustainable choice. I adore this quilt so much that I have it in multiple colors: the “Natural” shade graces our guest room, “Flagstone” adds a serene touch to our master bedroom, and a crisp “White” brightens my youngest daughter’s room. Its timeless elegance and inherent sustainability make it a truly smart investment for any home.
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Beyond textiles, furniture and home accessories are increasingly being crafted from more sustainable materials. Think bamboo, renowned for its rapid growth and strength, or mango wood, a byproduct of the fruit industry that offers a beautiful grain and durability. I particularly love these sustainably sourced mango wood shelves, which exemplify how natural materials can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This integration of eco-conscious materials demonstrates that it’s becoming remarkably easier to achieve both a stylish and sustainable home simultaneously.
Complementing the trend of new eco-friendly products is the thriving movement of buying second-hand home furnishings. This not only promotes sustainability by extending the life of existing items but also offers unique pieces with character and often at a more accessible price point. Local resources like Facebook marketplace groups, garage sales, consignment shops, and thrift stores are fantastic places to discover hidden gems. For those seeking high-end or curated vintage pieces, several excellent online platforms specialize in pre-owned goods. Websites such as Etsy, Chairish, and 1stDibs offer a vast selection of second-hand furniture and decor, allowing you to find distinctive items that tell a story and contribute to a more circular economy.
Injecting Personality: More Color in the Kitchen
I first highlighted the burgeoning trend of incorporating more color into the kitchen back in 2018, and it’s a delight to see this movement continue to gain momentum, evolving into one of the most exciting trends for 2020. For years, the all-white kitchen reigned supreme, offering a clean, bright, and timeless aesthetic. While white kitchens remain a classic choice, there’s a palpable shift towards homeowners desiring more personality and warmth in their culinary spaces. The current trend isn’t necessarily about drenching an entire kitchen in a bold hue, but rather thoughtfully introducing color in strategic ways that make a significant impact.
The most popular approach involves selecting a colored kitchen island or opting for colored lower cabinets while keeping upper cabinets neutral. This creates a visually dynamic space, adding depth and a focal point without overwhelming the senses. It allows for a playful yet sophisticated balance, giving the kitchen a bespoke feel. So, what color is leading the charge in this kitchen revolution? Unsurprisingly, it’s blue! Blue, in its myriad shades, has become the undisputed champion of trending kitchen colors. It offers a sense of calm, sophistication, and versatility, capable of being both vibrant and serene.
If the stunning blue cabinetry in the image above looks familiar, you’re absolutely right – it’s another striking application of Sherwin-Williams’ Naval. This deep, rich navy demonstrates its incredible adaptability, moving seamlessly from an elegant wall color to a sophisticated choice for kitchen cabinetry. Its depth makes a powerful statement, injecting personality and a timeless quality into the kitchen. Pairing it with brass hardware or light countertops can create a truly stunning contrast, elevating the entire space. The popularity of blue in the kitchen speaks to a desire for spaces that feel both comforting and stylish, where cooking and gathering can be an even more enjoyable experience.
So, there you have it – my top six home decor trends to watch for in 2020! I’d love to hear your thoughts on these trends. Which ones are you most drawn to? Are there any you’re considering incorporating into your own home this year? Perhaps you’ve spotted other emerging trends that deserve a place on this list? I’m always keeping an eye on how decor evolves, and it’s worth noting that several trends I highlighted in my 2019 trend post are still very much on an upward trajectory, proving that good design often transcends a single year. I’ll continue to track those as well. Enjoy the remainder of your weekend, everyone!
